Town leaders consider Hawleyville sewers

Nanci G. Hutson

Updated 11:15 pm, Thursday, September 27, 2012

More Information

Further discussion
The Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled for Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Center.

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NEWTOWN -- An estimated $5 million worth of new sewer extensions in the Hawleyville area will likely have no financial impact on taxpayers, but will stimulate economic growth and add to the town's coffers, according to a recent analysis.

First Selectman Pat Llodra said the proposal for the stretch along Route 6 was identified as an area where sewers might lead to additional commercial development without affecting quality of life, as most of the traffic would enter and exit from Intersate 84.

But the price tag is hefty. Town leaders want to be certain that fees paid for hook-up to the sewers in the area would cover the majority of the project's cost.

Public Works Director Fred Hurley offered an updated analysis to the Board of Selectmen last week that suggests the creation of a sewer district with mandatory hookups would significantly change the contribution factor, so that all but a small amount of the dollars needed to install the sewers would be covered.

Last spring, the cost projections left the town covering a shortfall of more than $1 million.

With revaluation, though, properties in the area have risen, including for undeveloped land that is zoned for commercial use, Hurley said.

Hurley said there are two commercial projects with existing sewers seeking land-use approvals. The projects, valued at $3 million, would generate about $273,000 in assessments; another proposed $5 million to $6 million commercial project in the district would exceed half a million dollars in assessments, he said.

With those revenues, and another expected $4.23 million from existing and expected development, as well as some residential units and a trailer park, the sewer extension costs would be all but covered, Hurley said.

Commercially zoned property with sewers is more attractive to developers, Hurley said. He favored moving forward with the project, according to meeting minutes.

If the project would be essentially paid for by users, Llodra said she, too, believes this should win favor with town leaders. But there are many steps in the process, and much public conversation to be had, before a final decision is reached.